Michael McIntyre's Big Show Faces Immediate Backlash Over Controversial Opening Monologue
BBC One's popular Saturday night entertainment programme, Michael McIntyre's Big Show, has been inundated with complaints from viewers just minutes into its latest broadcast. The BAFTA award-winning comedian's opening joke, which centred on weight loss and included a remark about ethnicity, has been widely criticised as inappropriate and offensive.
Viewers Express Fury on Social Media Platforms
Audiences watching the show on February 28th took to social media platform X to voice their displeasure almost immediately. Many described the routine as cringe-worthy and unnecessarily rude, with some questioning the programme's decision to feature content about so-called fat jab weight loss injections.
One particularly contentious segment saw McIntyre joke about his appearance following weight loss, stating: "Basically I did do three weeks of cheating. It's called the fat jab. Basically people are scared of it because it's a needle but you don't feel it. Well you don't, because you're fat. When you feel it you know you're done, it's hit the bone!"
Ethnicity Remark Adds to Growing Controversy
The controversy deepened when McIntyre described himself as a fat Chinese man during the monologue, a comment that further divided the audience. This remark, combined with observations about how some people don't look better after losing weight and comparisons to facial features, contributed to what many viewers perceived as a tone-deaf and insensitive performance.
The backlash overshadowed other segments of the show, which included pop star Jade Thirlwall participating in a phone prank and Love Island's Tasha Ghouri helping to surprise an Unexpected Star of the Show.
Contrast with Previous Week's Emotional Moment
This controversy stands in stark contrast to the previous week's episode, which featured an emotional reunion between former England footballer Peter Crouch and his first professional coach, Barry Quinn. That segment left Crouch visibly moved and teary-eyed, creating a heartfelt moment that resonated positively with audiences.
Michael McIntyre's Big Show continues to air every Saturday at 6:45pm on BBC One, though this latest incident has sparked significant debate about the boundaries of comedy in prime-time family entertainment.
